Could Drinking When Pregnant Increase The Child's Cancer Risk?

06/05/2010 13:09
|
Updated
22 May 2015

parentdish.co.uk
Parentdish UK

Studies vary as to whether an occasional glass of wine can have any long term effects on mother or baby but the latest research could make mums-to-be think twice before reaching for a small Chardonnay.

According to new research the risk of a rare type of cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), developing in children is increased when a pregnant women drinks alcohol. The study was published in the May edition of the American journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

AML is a rare type of cancer and affects the white blood cell production in the bone marrow.

The study involved researchers asking 21 women about their alcohol intake during pregnancy. From the results they determined a 56 in the United States, 30 in France, 59in Russia."

In the UK, the advice from The Department of Health and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is that pregnant women should not drink more than one to two units of alcohol once or twice a week. Binge drinking (drinking several units of alcohol in one session) should be avoided.

Tell us what you think. Did you drink / are drinking during pregnancy?